Ed

Haywood Community College is an outstanding facility in the mountains of North Carloina. I have a link on the ABS Website that lists the accomodations in the area of the school. Click this link: http:/s/www.americanbladesmith.com/uploads/file/Haywood%20College/Haywood%20Accommodations6-29-2009.pdf

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Hey Everyone,

I am going to attend the Intro class at Haywood Community College in March, 2012, and I was wondering if anyone out the could chime in and give their two cents worth on what their experiences were and what they would recommend in relation to hotels, food, etc.?

Hi Ed,

The Super 8 is really close to the school. If you get a good rate, that's your best bet. For food, lots of variety. Asheville is only 20 mins. away for even more variety.

Bill

Thanks Bill and Dan

I have done some research, and for others that are interested, I found that the Comfort Inn is 8 miles away from Haywood, has an indoor heated pool and hot tub (great for sore muscles), a full breakfast (included free), and if you're not afraid of a commitment, sign up for their "Choice Privileges" and it will only cost $672 for two weeks. Being that I love a good breakfast and it could cost me $10-$15 per day for that ($192 for two weeks), that's a great deal. The catch is that if you cancel, you can't get back the money. Without Choice Privileges, it's about $850, but you can cancel and get a refund.

Ed C.

More research and a good find....Microtel in Maggie Valley. Same amenities as Comfort Inn, plus a microwave & fridge, but only $593.88 for 12 nights. The best part is...no "catch". You can cancel at anytime up to 24 hours prior to arrival. It's 9.8 miles away from the college, but that's well worth the hot tub and indoor heated pool to sooth the sore muscles. That's where I'll be, if anyone else is going in March 2012, I'll see you there!

Ed C.

Ed:

In addition, Haywood Community College is just a few miles away from Kane and Sons Blacksmith Depot in Candler, NC. The Kane's have tools, hammers, tongs, forges, anvils and some outstanding advice.

Their website is: https://www.blacksmithsdepot.com

Hi Ed,

Sounds like you've got your hotel figured out.

I Stayed at the Super8 when I attended. They do have a bunkhouse you can stay in but when I was there it was it was booked by a bunch of archeology students. At that time I think the bunkhouse was $17 per night.

Meals- I'd HIGHLY reccomend having lunch every day at the Williams Tavern restaurant !!! It's right there so you can walk or pile in the bed of a truck and ride over. Expect about $10 a day including tip IIRC. For your $10 you'll get a great country style meal served by some wonderful gals and all the beverage you can consume (which will probably be alot). In my class the MS's had lunch there everyday and our conversations ran a wide spectrum from JS testing, advanced metallurgy, damascus, etc etc etc covering topics well beyond the scope of the intro class. 10 days of lunch = $100 10 days of lunch conversations = priceless !

Something I did on the weekend down time was go up to the Historic Arkansas Museaum in Little Rock. It's about an hour and 40 minutes I think. Just fantastic and would really recommend you go check it out. Here's a link to my pics from the museum-

http://s570.photobucket.com/albums/ss147/joshdabney/Arkansas%20Historic%20Museum/?start=all

On Sunday I also took the tour of Old Washington. Again very worthwile -especially the knife museum and James Black's blacksmith shop-

http://s570.photobucket.com/albums/ss147/joshdabney/Old%20Washington%20Arkansas/?start=all

I was so swept up in class that I never even got the camera out of the car ! Except for the final day of course -

http://s570.photobucket.com/albums/ss147/joshdabney/Intro%20to%20Bladesmithing%202010/?start=all

Enjoy your time in Old Washington. I sure did !

Take care- Josh

Josh,

Thanks so much for posting those pics! I feel like I will recognize the place when I get there <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//cool.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' /> . Nice pics of the class area and knives, too.

Ed C.